The Wooden Heart Editing

Chapter 5

Disclaimer:

I do not claim the original fairy tale, but WH's plot and characters belong to me. Any famous songs, TV show/movies/books and manga names, and brands that are mentioned in this work belong to their rightful owners.

Willa Field

-.-.-.-.-.-

Four:

Return of the Sugar Plum Princess

-.-.-.-.-.-

That night after she finally realized her fate, Maria Ann Sawyer had the most wonderful night of sleep since she was small. It was like a heavy weight was lifted off her chest and she could breathe without worry.

She idly wondered if she was changed from the girl that entered the shop only a day ago to someone else utterly different, seeing how different and free she felt as she stirred from her sleep, but it was too early to be sure. She smiled slightly as her eyes opened to the sun-lit room, feeling that she was finally truly home. She finally felt like she had a home, not a dreadful prison to be feared, but somewhere she was safe from any danger. And Maria loved that feeling. She was now freed to do what she needs to, what she wants to.

She sat up, stretching her arms over her head, enjoying the feelings of safely and happiness inside of her, and then while leaning back into the head post she took in the room for the first time without her mind being occupied with rushing thoughts:

It was quite huge, like a small apartment without the kitchen; feet away from she was laying was a small living room with a few lounge chairs and one large couch. She pursed her lips as she took in the sleeves of familiar tittles of books hanging from the two walls on either side of a door and her few personal things were placed on a beautifully crafted desk that made out of blue wood.

It was beautiful, way more personal than her 'room' back in Ashley.

Whoever lives here wants me to be comfortable, Maria assumed with a sense of wonder as she stood from the bed, shivering from the cold floor as she carefully paddled to the books while her body depended on the chairs in the path for support.

Once Maria was comfortable in a high-set chair, she ran her hand over the bends of the countless books. She grinned small when she saw her favorite titles, in rare editions and first editions, her heart beat excitedly to read them once again.

She was going to read a modern romance while she waited for someone to check in on her and lead her to meet the king and queen, but an old novel caught her eyes: Legend of the Sugar Plum Princess engraved into the bending.

Maria hummed her interest before grabbing it and pulled her legs up, tucking them under her as she settled the heavy novel onto her lap, opening it and started to read the first page.

But then, the words engraved into the page caused her eyes to wide as her hands moved with nervous shakes:

-.-.-.-.-.-

This is one of the legends of our world, an enchanting story of love and safirce.

It tells a tale of a woman who will be the hero of our world, with the power of both all the powers from the fairy kingdoms and true love, they are both the most powerful weapons to be bestowed upon her.

They will be her aid in the most dangerous war of the magical world's history, without them or her, the world will be lost to us and the lives on this world will soon end.

The woman will be the reincarnation of the long lost winter princess, who killed herself from the pain of losing her true love to a curse.

She will suffer abuse at the hands of her parents on her journey back to her true self. But because of that, she will be more powerful when she reawakens, for she will be with her love and friends once again, strong and ready to fight for her people:

The legend itself is said to be a spell to anyone to read this. The one who reads through will be given the powers and grained a wish just the woman in the legend. For, the story begins and becomes real for the true heir of the Western side of Da Fae, the world of lost toys, because the book is only to be touched by the heir and it will guide her to the future. Back to the loving arms of her family and her mate.

-.-.-.-.-.-

A novel snapping shut echoed through the room as Maria's breath quickened and her heart beat hard against her ribcage painfully. What the hell? She thought wildly:

"Okay, Bella, I accepted that I am destined to live as you and be someone Hans can trust. But this?! It's like I stepped into Fushigi Yugi*! I am not strong like you were! How in hell am I supposed to save an entire world?" She raved, her arms moved crazily around her and a growl crept out of her throat, not noticing the amused witness walking into the room and also not caring that Bella wasn't answering her yells:

"This is crazy! There is no way I can save this world when I can't even save myself! You were the strong one, not me, remember?!"

"You know, you are a lot stronger than you think, sweetie. Don't sell yourself short just yet. We haven't even started your training; you might be surprised."

A high-pitch, bell-like feminine voice cut though her crazed ravings and brought the blonde to a complete stop, only turning slowly in a shy manner to see Alicia smiling reassuringly at her as she carefully strode forward to where Maria sat, a beautiful dress laid in her arms. Maria couldn't believe how young the pixie-like fairy looked, she hasn't aged a bit over the sixty-four-year period.

She is the fire cracker she was all those years ago, Maria reflected delightedly as the pleased tears ran down her cheek, a shy smile turned the corners of her mouth upwards while her legs unfolded to touch the floor:

"You're probably thinking of the old me, Ally. I'm not that girl anymore. I'm Maria, I need to learn how to be confident and strong again." She admitted softly, putting her hands on her lap while her head was hanging in shame.

Alicia blew out a sad sigh and she placed the dress on the bed, before slowly and carefully walking to her new friend and she then knelt in front of her, tucking her finger underneath her chin:

"Oh, Maria, you are so much more than a mere weak girl. You faced so much than a normal teenage girl, sweetie. Don't let the abuse ruin your view about your badass self. You are stronger than anyone and you have us on your side to teach you how to use all your powers. All you need is to believe in us and yourself."

"You never changed, Ally. Always high-spirited." The crippled woman giggled while she wiped her eyes free of tears, causing her friend to chuckle as she stood.

"Yes, that's one of the perks of being a fairy. We can choose to stop aging at the age of twenty-two or age of forty-two, I chose the first because I wanted to be your best friend again, and I might be more mature than I was, but I always will be a spit-fire. Now, you have some people that want to meet you, let's get you ready. Lesley wanted you to wear this." She stated as she giddily walked to the bed, grabbing the dress from the bed before she turned to show Maria with a grin spread over her lips.

She laughed at Alicia's need for amazing fashion and dressing her as if she was a doll. Yes, she didn't change a bit, Maria mused amusingly as she watched her friend swayed gracefully forward to her chair.

Once Maria was in reach, Alicia grabbed her hands and pulled her into her side, letting the crippled young woman lean on her for support, as they moved into the large bathroom giggling all the way.

A few hours of pointing and poking passed until Maria was free, her insides jumping with excitement to see what magic Alicia worked on her. The other girl beamed proudly at her artwork as she placed the makeup back on the counter, pulling her to the full-length mirror over the bathroom sink, revealing a lovely sight:

Maria gasped at the girl staring wide-eyed back at her, she was gorgeous. Her strawberry blonde was tightly braided with a few ringlets falling down like gold to frame her face perfect, like a heaven-sent angel. Her full lips were painted a blood red color and her eyes as green as the beautiful leafs of the trees were turned even greener from the smoky brown eye-shadow, it highlighted her features like a true fairy. And finally the dress, oh the dress:

She was wearing a pure white dress, which was curtained by a powdered blue veil, against the white skirt, the blue made the dress look as if she was wearing a waterfall. It was so beautiful, so beautiful that the girl wondered if it was a dream again.

She smiled at that thought as she let her eyes roam down her frame. The skirt brushed her feet, which were stuffed into white flats, and then, her green orbs moved back to see that the reflection's shoulders were bare, giving her a more mature shine. And finally, her arms were covered with powdered blue sleeves.

"I'm…" She breathed, Maria's voice cracked with shock, Alicia chuckled as she pushed the braid over her shoulder:

"…. Beautiful. And now for the icing on this beautiful cake." She finished quietly, lifting a sliver diadem down upon her forehead with a beautiful blue diamond hanging from the middle of the crown.

Maria gasped at her reflection, shocked at how alike she and Isabella really looked in their county's colors, she guessed that blue and white were the colors from hearing Bella saying that they were winter fairies. She lifted her hand up to the mirror, sighing deeply in disbelief. How was all this possible? She questioned with a deep frown upon her lips:

"This all seems like a surreal fairy tale, Ally. I am starting to think that I'm going to wake up and I just got here." Maria admitted with a sad look in her beautiful eyes as she turned to the brunette. Alicia shook her head, touching her friend's cheek:

"Sweetie, I know it is hard for you to believe this right now, but you belong here with us now. As time passes, it will be easier for you to believe that."

She slowly nodded, hugging her friend before the slightly older woman moved to the middle of the room and then she created a beautiful wheelchair, it was made out of the mystical redwoods of the north; Maria blinked in surprise once more but then she shook her head with a sudden smile. This magic is going to be hard to get used to, the blonde teen mused to herself as Ally adjusted pillows on the chair for padding before she moved her in the seat.

"Now, let's get going. They are waiting for us." The summer fairy smiled sweetly at the other princess, before moving to the back of the chair, heading towards the door and down the hall.

The two young adults strode along each other in silence, the silence crushed Maria under its pressure as her hands shook with nerves. She didn't know what to expect when they got to the throne room, where she guessed that they were going, or how she should act when she met her parents for the first time…

Her parents, those words heated her to her core, because she realized that her cruel abusers were nothing than the cruel people they are. Her life with them was just leading up to this day, the day she would be welcomed home with open arms. This was her chance to a new life and Maria was going to take it.

However, with each seconds that passed, every single one, only added more fear in the winter fairy princess's heart and she almost ripped the skirt with every beat of her heart:

"What if they don't like me? What if I'm not what they're expecting all these years." She whispers into the quiet, causing her friend's head to snap up and confusion written nearly across her face.

"Your parents?" Alicia questioned, which was answered with a quick nod. This brought grin to her face, only one thought ran through their minds as the feisty fairy knelt to her level: She is too cute for words.

"Of course, they will, sweetie. They were waiting out for you to come home as yourself. You might be a different person now, but in some ways you still are Bella and in some ways you are your own person. Bella wants you to be yourself, not her. And your momma and Papi understand that, sweetie." Alicia soothed her friend's worries, lifting her small hand to the other girl's cheek with an assuring smile placed onto her lips just as a smiling Drosselmeier walked in, smiling at the beautiful princess as his milky white hand waved her forward.

Before going to the older woman, Maria squeezed her friend's hand one more and then wheeled to her, feeling more and more nervous by the minute.

They walked until they reached a double door, which was bordered with bright white roses and on it were pictures of beautiful fairies:

The bigger one covered the middle with the wings stretched over the top, as if it were protecting the others.

Maria turned her head to the man beside her. The young woman idly wondered if he knew about this and he searched high and low for his lost niece. And when he did, the elder man started to set the meeting up. Maria looked up at him, biting her lip before she spoke up in a soft tone, almost a whisper:

"Uncle, um…did you know this will happen? If you knew, why did you save me? I'm not blaming you, it's just…" She trailed, sighing sadly. The man stared at the younger fairy what seemed forever before frowning deeply.

"Oh baby, I couldn't nothing, there's rules I needed to follow. All I could was give you Hans because I knew the action would make you both feel hope."

"I understand, uncle. All that matters today is I'm safe and home now. Should I go in now?" The teen smiled a bit, c*****g her head toward the giant doors.

The graying blonde man smiled as he pulled his little girl into a big hug, before tenderly telling the younger woman to go.

After flashing him another sweet smile, she breathed deeply, mustering all of the courage in her petite body, and grabbed the wheels tightly as her elderly uncle opened one side of the door, she wheeled into a large room with a smile.

The room was breathtaking; it was just like a picture in storybooks.

There were no walls along the edges nor a ceiling above, just so much sunshine on the hardwood floor, and three thrones set on a high perform with twisting wild roses all around the strange room: Two thornes looked like they were made for a female, maybe they were her mother's and hers. Maria slowly made her way to the large chairs, reaching out when a voice startled her behind.

"Hello, Maria, our rose." She whipped around to see a dark-haired handsome young man grinning at her and beautiful blonde woman staring at her with her hands over her mouth. They looked only a few years older than Maria and had a more mature aura around them, but there was something about them that looked very familiar to her:

She smiled widely, finally realizing who was staring proudly at her.

"Annabella and West, you were there all along. You are my parents…." She whispered as happy tears flowed easily down her flushed cheeks, wheeling to the grinning couple whose arms were open wide.

Once she was in their arms, her father's hands stroked her soft, long hair, as his wife wept into her shoulder. She finally was home, truly home.

"Yes, baby…. oh my goodness, we wanted to tell you but the Fates couldn't let us do anything to help you. I'm so sorry, rose." Lesley cried as she tucked her beautiful strawberry blonde hair behind her ear, a deep frown set upon her thin lips. In answer, the teen smiled sweetly.

"I fully understand, momma. You have nothing to be sorry for. At least, you were there as I grew up and made my life better. But, I do hope I made you proud, papi and momma." The man chuckled as he caressed her cheek tenderly.

"Ah my sweet child, you made us burst with pride. We watched as you formed into the strong young woman you are. But you gave poor uncle Drosselmeier a run, did you? It took him a while to find you. That worried me." Maria blushed and muttered 'sorry.' This cause the fairy king to laugh harder.

After talking and laughing like they moved from just being sisters and the boyfriend to a real family, Tuan sighed as his green eyes lifted to his daughter's eyes, reaching to touch her small hand with his large one:

"Maria, darling, you need to address the kingdom and tell them that you are Bella reborn. They need to hear their princess is home and that you are here to stay. That will make them feel safe, baby. Don't worry, we will be here with you, so you don't have to be nervous, baby girl. We won't leave you, I promise." He assured her in a rush.

Maria bit her lip unsurely, turning her eyes to the right edge where the sounds of a crowd started to loft up to her ears. She wasn't sure that she was ready for this. After being a freak for so many years, how was she going to become a powerful princess?

She was always hard on herself as soon as she realized that the only parents she had at the time hated her with a passion, despite how well-mannered and good behaved she was. With every beating she took, they stripped away her self-esteem little by little, causing her to have problems with talking in front of people and it was the reason that Maria had none friends to speak of. And now, she was supposed to make a huge speech to a brunch of strangers as the princess. How in hell was she going to do that?

But she knew that she needed to do this. Not only for herself but the people waiting for her, they need her to be confident if she was going to be the princess. She needed to do this for them:

She took a deep breath in, nodding at her father before wheeling herself to the edge, her eyes moving over the crowd as she started her speech:

"Hello, everyone. I'm Maria Ann Sawyer, I am seventeen and I am the next heir to the throne." Gasps filled the air, mutters of anger and confusion rode the wind up to when the blonde sat. Maria lifted a hand up, cutting short the angry mutters instantly, but some still held questionable expressions at the sudden news:

"You see, I'm not only Maria, the weak silent girl. Deep inside of me is a piece of Isabella, and that means I'm her new life. As such, I promise you this, I will do my best to be the princess you have been waiting for. I'm sorry I was gone for so long, but I'm home now and I am never leaving again. I am your princess and I'm going to be the princess you have not never seen before. You will proud to be under my rule but if you speak harshly of me, I will take action." Maria stated firmly as her eyes roamed the crowd, making sure each one knew how serious she was:

"Because my sister had to go through a lot to bring me home and I will not have you questioning my honestly about this, for if you are questioning me, you are questioning Bella, I will not have anyone dirtying her name by saying that she abandoned you or brought an outsider to rule because she did not abandon you. It was her fate to die, it was written in the legend, was it not? I'm here to stay and I will protect my home."

With that, she slowly wheeled away with a burning blush placed across her face, surprised at how confident and sure she sounded. Maria could never speak like that before, what had changed? Was Bella really still there, inside of her guiding and helping her? She was starting to wonder if it was true, that she had a guardian angel. If Isabella was that angel.

Maria smiled slightly at the thought as she returned to where her parents stood, proud and smiling happily:

"Well done, Maria Ann. You will be a great leader one day, sweet girl." Lesley stated sweetly, reaching out to caress her daughter's cheek to finally begin to act as a mother and it felt amazing. Maria smiled back, touching her hand:

"Thank you, momma. I'll try to be."

The older woman grinned, opening her mouth to reply to her statement but the sound of a throat clearing cut their conversation short. Their eyes moved to the door where Michael stood with his hands folded behind his back as a grim expression danced across his facial features.

Maria frowned deeply, feeling uneasy at that expression and then she started to move towards him but her mother stopped her with a soft touch on her arm. The girl turned her head to the side to see her smiling softly:

"Let's have a big dinner to cerebrate. We haven't had dinner together in a long time."

She smiled in return, nodding before she wheeled to the boy, shyly moving along aside him out of the room, leaving her parents to look worried:

"Do you think he will actually do…?" Lesley started, but trailed off, unable to finish the burning question.

"I don't know, love, I just don't know. But I highly doubt that Mari will let him without a fight." Tuan replied softly, wrapping an arm around his wife with a pure sad expression laced to his face.

He had a sinking feeling that Michael will do something he'd regret in the future….

-.-.-.-.-.-

The park was beautiful with sun beaming down upon it, but it wasn't a happy sight playing out under the sun. Maria shivered at the bitter wind against her bare skin crossing her bare skin to keep herself warm, as the wind blew her braid to the right and waiting for Michael to move. He sighed, hiding the tears in his hazel eyes as he stepped to her side, kneeling to her level.

"Maria, I can't be with you right now. We need to—"

"No! No! Don't you dare do this to me again, you jerk!" She screamed at him, cutting off his statement while rushing forwards to beat his chest furiously as tears fell.

"Maria…" Michael whispered surprised, his eyes widened in shocked and his hands came up to steady her in her chair:

"You cannot just kiss a girl and tell her you can't be with her! And you did this to Bella, me! You ran away! Jerk, do you have any idea of how we waited for you? I am not going to let you go. I need you and I am not going to live without you again!" The blonde growled, lifting her eyes to his while the tears just kept falling down her fiery red cheeks.

Michael looked at that expression with such a sadness, biting his lip to keep his calm. He needed to protect her like a knight without any distractions, and he being with her will totally distract him. He cannot be with her, it might cost him everything he was searching for: rat king is gone, you need protection—"

"Professional? Professional? No way in hell you are! You took my first kiss, Michael!" She screamed at him before realizing he didn't understand her true feelings and froze her anger.

Moving back to kneel in front of her dear knight, the blonde sighed deeply, wiping her eyes and moved her eyes to her lap before continuing:

"Look, Michael, I need to say this now so you understand where I'm coming from. I'm broken right now and I don't know how long I am going take to be repaired. But you could break my walls down with one mere smile, your voice can light up my day. That is rare for me, and to lose that, it would ruin me. So, I want you to be the only one to fix me, to heal me. If you are with me, I'm not going to run from this world and this life, Michael. You keep me steady, sweetie. You are the one that can heal me, Michael. I don't want perfect. I just want someone to see me for who I am. Don't you see that? Don't you dare run—"

That was the last straw for the nutcracker, he could not fight against her any further. He wondered why he even tried to as he moved towards her sinful looking lips.

And so, she was silenced by his lips upon hers, it was just a peck but it worked:

"Stop talking." Hans whispered against her luscious lips before devouring them in a hungry kiss, enjoying the feel of her lips against hers. The kiss lasted for what seemed like hours but neither one of them cared, the kiss seemed as if it was powerful magic and they couldn't break the spell.

They became entangled in each other: Maria's hands buried themselves in his now messed-up hair and the taller fairy pinned her to him, unable to let her go, but alas fairy tale creatures needed air too. They pulled away only a few inches away from the other person with a wide smile their faces.

He brushed the curls from her eye, pulling her closer to his chest as he traced her jawline with soft kisses up right next to her ear:

"I love you, Maria. And, I need you too. So I'm done fighting against you anymore, it's too hard. I'm not going away anywhere, I'm staying with you until you are healed and happy, no, far longer than that. I love you, Maria. I'll protect you, baby. I don't care how hard it'll be, you are worth the risk, you are mine. You are perfect. I'm only asking you one thing, to be mine—"

Hans was cut off by her lips crashing upon his, her hand came behind his neck, holding him in place. He didn't respond for a few minutes, too shocked, but the shock passed very quickly and his arms snaked around her waist, crushing her body to his, still not wanting to let her go.

They stayed like this for what seemed like hours then she pulled away leaning her forehead against the nutcracker's cool one with a pleased smile placed on their lips, loving the feel of each other's lips on their own.

Silence stretched over us, as if Maria wanted to memorize this moment and burn it into her mind. Watching her, he caressed her cheek, letting her think until she opened her eyes. After a moment of thinking, he met her eyes, then, the blonde broke the silence finally with the words he has waited so long for:

"I was always yours, Michael. I just didn't know. I love you too."

With that simple confession, an eerily warm wind crept across their skin, making their heads snapped up. Soon the wind became faster and

faster until it picked up the black-haired teen and twisted its way around his body, dropping the beauty to the grassy ground with her green eyes widen in fear and amazement:

"Michael!" Maria screamed, reaching her hands up to the sky, wishing she could reach him but the girl couldn't touch him. She could just have watched as the wind swallowed him.

After what seemed like forever, the teen's body slowly lowered to the ground, his chest heaving hard. She gasped, her hair became loose from the braid as she crawled to him and when he was in reach, and Maria turned the teen's body to the sky; only for her jaw to drop to her chest at the sight of his wooden-free facial features.

The spell was….

"Michael, you are…."

"What sweet girl?" He cracked out, still being sweet in such a position. She touched his soft cheek, smiling amazed at how it felt.

Michael sighed in content, not noticing the feeling of his body has become normal again. However, as Maria smiled softly, her hand lifted his to his now warm and soft cheek, cluing him into what has happened and a loud gasp escaped his lips. Oh, the spell is broken, Hans thought in awe:

"You are a fairy again…. the spell is…"

"Oh my goddess, it's true. You are my true love, Maria. The spell is broken because of you." Hans whispered lovingly, caressing her cheek as a smile danced across his lips. She leaned her head into his palm, staring deeply into his eyes:

"So, you are free now….?"

"Yes, my love."

Then, she laughed loudly before she jumped onto him, hugging tightly to her. They were so happy to be together and to be free, that they didn't sense the sensation of being watched from afar….

-.-.-.-.-.-.-

He made a triangle with his two thumbs and pointer fingers; staring at the mirror with a scowl fit for the Devil himself. Damn it to all! The nutcracker had broken the curse with the beautiful girl's love! He lost this round to that stupid prince, but the war is not over. Not in the least, he thought as he slammed a fist against the wall while growling deeply .in his throat. He will have her and that will happen!

After a few moments, he stood straight as he waved his hand across the glass, making the two teens disappeared; Adam has a plan and the plan will lead him to what he desired most: Maria.

He grinned evilly before yelling for one of the pretty mice in his harem, Locia West. She ran into the throne room; her red fur was hugged by a simple pink dress that revealed her stomach. Locia bowed to her king, her honey-like voice filled the room:

"Yes, your highness?" Locia asked sweetly, he turned to the female mouse with a stein glint in his coal eyes.

"My sweet, I need you to the fairies' world and worm your way into their group to gain the blonde princess's trust. Once you do, you are to bring her to me, understand?" Adam asked, caressing her cheek, being sweet to get what he want:

Locia stared at the large rat with confusion, unsure why he wanted a fairy princess for the queen when he had so many beautiful mice to mate with right here. But she knew that if you argue with the king, the punishment would be deadly:

"But your grace, you said that fairies are—"

"I know what I said, sweetie. But plans changed, that girl is a powerful creature, not to mention beautiful. I want her as mine because our heirs will be the most creatures in Da Fae! Think of what that means, Locia!"

He became so excited that he picked the mouse up and begun to sway her in the air as a giddy giggle found its way of his mouth. The female squeaked in surprise, wide-eyes staring at her king, but she knew what that meant for her race….

…. They could take over the magical world, once and for all.

"Yes, your highness, whatever you want. But, how do you suppose I earn her trust if I look this?" She questioned him, crossing her arms after he put her back on the floor.

Adam smiled cruelly, backing up from her to create space between them. When the gap was big enough, he lifted a claw up, waving it over her. After a moment had past, he led her to the mirror, revealing the girl standing in front of the female mouse. The sight earned a shocked gasp from her:

The girl was a pale-skinned, muddy brown-eyed, curly red-haired mousy thing, but she looked good and human, she mused as she bit her lip and then she moved her eyes to her king who was staring at her with a cold glare.

"Now this is how you are going to earn her trust. I want you to befriend her and when her walls are down, bring her home. Understand? And I do not want any more lip from you, Locia, you belong to me and you will do everything I tell you to." He told her firmly, slapping her across her cheeks, earning a loud cry from the now human girl.

"Y-yes, your grace, I'm sorry."

"Good, now go. A house and a pair of humans will be ready for you tomorrow; I'll call the school to enroll you."

She nodded slowly, bowing to him before running out of the room. Adam grinned wide as he turned to the window, the plan going through his mind, making him giddy just thinking about it.

You will be mine, Maria. He thought with an evil laugh.

-.-.-.-.-

*Fushigi Yugi—A Japanese manga series centered around two best friends who became enemies when the two girls stumbled on an old novel which sent them to another world. One wanted to help to both help save it and heal the relationship, one wanted revenge on the other girl.